Midway through last month’s Premier League match away to Brentford, the sentiment against Mauricio Pochettino turned amongst the Chelsea support. En masse, the Blues’ supporters chanted in a way that made clear in no uncertain terms their desire to see the Argentinean leave Stamford Bridge sooner rather than later. This season has undeniably been another challenging one for Chelsea. They are slumped in ninth place in the Premier League table with just seven fixtures of the 2023/24 campaign left to play and will do well to qualify for any sort of European football. If Chelsea play matches in co ..read more

14.10 Betfred Handicap This will be run at some speed. ONE NIGHT STAND finished fifth in last year’s Dash here, and the combination of his high draw and early speed could see him hard to peg back. The likes of CLEARPOINT, and MOUNTAIN PEAK, who finished second in the Dash over C&D two years ago from an 8Ib higher mark, are others to definitely fear. Recent Thirsk winner GLORY FIGHTER and the capable MONDAMMEJ, who will get his preferred strong pace, can also be included in a tricky opener. Tips: One Night Stand, Clearpoint, Mountain Peak, Mondammej, Glory Fighter 14.45 Betfred Blue Riband ..read more

13.52 Northern Commercials New Iveco 2024 Model Year EBF Restricted Novice Stakes  THEATRICALLY caught the eye with a running-on fifth in the Brockelsby on his debut, and although she could only finish fourth at Kempton last time out, she’s a big player under Silvestre De Sousa for trainer Amy Murphy, who does well at this course. Debutants EIGHTEEN FOURTEEN, INSHAD, and ALMANJOOR are others to note. Tips: Theatrically, Eighteen Fourteen, Inshad, and Almanjoor   14.22 OAP Free Day Handicap VANITY PLAYS hasn’t been at her best of late, but she has form under these conditions since she ..read more

Over recent years, football’s divide between the elite and lower leagues has only grown. From the European Super League, to ‘Project Big Picture’, when the top club’s in England attempted to radically alter the power structure in the game during the COVID pandemic, there are far too many examples of the game losing what it was created with in the first place: a fierce community spirit. This week, there was another dark turn. The Football Association announced the scrapping of FA Cup replays from the first round proper. On the face of it, this may be an elegant solution to fixture congestion, a ..read more

13.50 bet365 Handicap NORTH VIEW has displayed race-by-race progression and opened his account in good style at Bath last time out. He is interesting on his handicap debut. WOODHAY WONDER has won three of her last four starts and won on both the July and Rowley courses the last two times, so she cannot be discounted on her handicap debut. Newcastle winner CAJETAN and the consistent MASHADI are others to consider. Tips: North View, Woodhay Wonder, Cajetan, Mashadi 14.25 bet365 Wood Ditton Maiden Stakes Given that his stable has won this several times, the well-bred EARL OF ROCHESTER must go on ..read more

13.50 Weatherbys Global Stallions App Handicap This race is seriously competitive, so it’s wise to nominate multiple selections. SUMMERGHAND has a good record at this course and has fitness on his side, so he’s one to consider. ORAZIO won this last year and should make a bold bid to defend his crown, while the consistent RAATEA and CHIPSTEAD are others to note. All four of these are capable of taking the opener. Tips: Summerghand, Orazio, Raatea, Chipstead 14.25 bet365 Feilden Stakes (Listed) This race is littered with potentially smart prospects. IMMORTAL KNIGHT won very nicely on his debut a ..read more

13.20 British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes The potent combination of Charlie Appleby and William Buick is in seriously good form, so there’s every chance HALLASAN will prove capable of making a winning debut. His stablemate, AL QUDRA, is the obvious threat under James Doyle. Brian Meehan’s SABRIMENTO can do the best of the rest. Tips: Hallasan, Al Qudra, Sabrimento 13.50 It’s Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap Many of these are in with a chance. However, PRINCE OF PILLO has twice scored over this trip, including in a listed race, and he is very well-handicapped. He could be ready to make a ..read more

Barcelona’s Champions League quarter-final win away to Paris Saint-Germain last week offered a microcosm of the Catalans’ season as a whole to date. Their defensive flaws were exposed at times by Kylian Mbappe and co. but the performance was supercharged by a core of promising young players who could sustain Barcelona for years to come. 17-year-old Lamine Yamal was a threat down the right side while Pau Cubarsi – another 17-year-old – was impressive at the back. Pedri – still only 21 – came off the bench to produce an outrageous assist with Fermin Lopez – 20 years old – contributed. With the ..read more

Last season, when Newcastle United qualified for the Champions League, Brazilian midfielder Joelinton played 32 league games, missing just six. Hollywood might call his turnaround on Tyneside too idealistic. The 27-year-old, who signed a new contract on Thursday, joined in 2019 as a striker, costing £40m from Hoffenheim; a club record fee at the time. While plenty of what happened in his first two seasons at St James’ Park was not his fault; such as the exit of Rafael Benitez and subsequent firing of Steve Bruce, and the team’s inability to play to his strengths, he became a rather unfortunate ..read more

13.45 Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Chase The JP McManus pair are the two I like in the opener. Kim Muir winner INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN was ridden with extreme confidence last time out and must have a great chance with a similar performance. IROKO should do a lot better than last month and is a noticeable danger. Tips: Inothewayurthinkin, Iroko 14.20 William Hill Handicap Hurdle KATEIRA’s second in a Grade 1 C&D race last year at this meeting is the standout piece of form, and she should be going close with a handicap mark of 136. JANGO ..read more